Savannah Mayor Edna Jackson responded Thursday to the loss of the Sand Gnats baseball team, citing the city's $3 million investment in Grayson Stadium over the past six years, including installation of a new field and lighting system, replacement of grandstands, and construction of the three-level Landshark Landing.

Sand Gnats owner Hardball Capital said in a release explaining its move to Columbia that it was in part because of the city's failure to make upgrades to the stadium.

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But the mayor begged to differ in her release.

"Savannah has a long history with professional baseball, and we are confident our city's future will also include plenty of baseball," she said. "We would like to thank the Savannah Sand Gnats and its current owner, Hardball Capital, for partnering with the city at historic Grayson Stadium, one of the oldest professional ballparks in the nation. It's been a good relationship."

Jackson said city officials continue to believe Grayson is an ideal and family-friendly setting in which to locate a professional team.

"While we all love baseball in Savannah, we understand it is a business, and Hardball's decision to move its Single A affiliate to Columbia is a business decision. We wish them well."

The city continues to have active discussions with several other professional baseball owners to locate a team in Savannah, the mayor said.

"While we have enjoyed nearly a century of professional baseball in Savannah, we have experienced a number of seasons when we have had no team. We are confident that, just as before, baseball will return to Savannah soon enough."